ORIGIN

Rare 5.0/5-Speed Grp A Homologation Model: 1984 Ford Sierra XR8

This 1984 Ford Sierra is one of 250 Group A homologation XR8 models made for the South African market, with spec including a Fox Mustang-sourced 5.0/5-speed drivetrain, big AP brakes and largely standard five-door shell fitted with a bi-plane rear wing similar to that found on Cosworths. This one’s said to have 76k miles and looks to be in good driver level condition, however the ad doesn’t divulge much else. These don’t come up for sale very often, and in fact this example is the first featured on BaT. Find it here on Gumtree in Cape Town, South Africa for 289k ZAR (~$24k USD today).

This car appears to be mostly standard down to wheels and paint–note factory style model decals and matching pinstripes. The single exhaust finisher might be aftermarket, but the bi-level rear wing (similar to that found on Cossie Sierras) isn’t. Apparently all 250 XR8’s were five doors, further distinguished from lesser versions by a four-slot grille. Note also the asymmetrical factory fender flares.

South African spec means RHD with metric gauges, and there’s nothing much different inside the cabin than found on even the lowest spec base models–somehow we would have expected Recaros or at least power front windows.

Up front is a 4bbl-fed Windsor 302, which came from the Pretoria factory without smog controls. Power was rated at 161 kw (in the local format), which translates to roughly 215 HP–40 more than emissions controls-equipped US market equivalents for the year.

We love a little-known local market big-engined special, and this one’s among the more interesting we’ve come across in quite a while. Chances are it will stay in South Africa, but anyone with an old Merkur and a $500 wrecking yard Fox 5.0 should be able to build something very similar in their garage.